My brakes failed due to lip and warpage created on front rotors. Brakes failed within 10,000 miles of normal driving. Brakes were replaced again and old lipped rotors available. This was the third set on my car with only 50,000 miles.

- Stockton, CA, USA

While driving a grinding noise was heard when depressing the brake pedal. Dealer replaced front brakes and rotors. The problem occurred again, and the dealer determined that vehicle needed new front wheel bearings.

- Christiansburg, VA, USA

Car has many issues in regards to the braking system. Car has been to the shop on more than 10 occasions. The front brakes have been replaced 2 times in 3 months. Finally I was told my master cylinder was bad. It apperently was replaced, when I drove the car after this repair my brakes 'went to the floor' I alsmost rammed into another car. The brakes are completley messed up and a safety danger. I was told by brian the service advisor at titus-will Ford that my brakes are safe, however he would not back it in writing. This shop refused to service my vehicle in regards to this issue according to them nothing is wrong. So beware in Tacoma, I have unsafe brakes. I have been in contact with Ford and they are useless also.

- Lakewood, WA, USA

Front brake has a squeaking noise while applying the brakes with a jerk.

- Tega Cay, SC, USA

The front brake pads wore out with only 11000 miles on the car. Unacceptable for a new car.

- Irvine, CA, USA

Brakes have failed to stop the car, they didn't lock, and I don't have ABS. Radio loses power intermittently. Then clears up and is good for a while. Had incidences of car jerking/stuttering when coasting at surface street speeds has happened three times. Have taken car to dealership and told nothing wrong. Deal with jones West Ford, bought car from internet auto sales.

- Reno, NV, USA

On Nov 6th 2002, I had the Ford Focus inspected at a New York state inspection center to meet state inspection. No problems were detected at that time in the operations or consistion of the brake system. On Nov. 11th returning from a 500 mile trip the brake sysytems failed with total loss of front brakes and a sever grinding in the front drivers wheel. Upon inspection the rotor was severly damaged resulting in brake failure. I called the New York state inspector concerning the problem and was told that the brakes were in spec. On Nov. The 6th, 2002. I can only assumed that I experianced a total brake failure due to poor quality of materials used in the brake system of the Ford Focus.

- Dexter, NY, USA

I originally took the car in back in October but they found no cause for the noise the brakes were making at the time. No repairs were done then.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

2001 Ford Focus w/just over 13000 miles I am told by Ford repair in antioch, ca I need new rotors, shoes, etc...I initially reported concerns about brake noise, wear when I first purchased but I was told was all normal stuff! it is not, they have defective parts & too many people having problems!

- Antioch, CA, USA

Steering wheel vibrates violently when applying brakes at more than 55mph. Took to dealer when car had 10K miles on it. Dealer replaced front pads and machined rotors. I asked dealer why were the rotors not replaced, was told the rotors were fine. Problem started again about 3 months later (at 16K miles) was not able to take car to dealer until August. Car now has 22K miles. Dealer advised that warranty will not cover, probably rotors are warped. Explained to dealer that rotors should have been replaced at the same time the pads were replaced and dealer insisted that the rotors were fine. Submitted this same info to a law firm in California that has class action lawsuit in progress against Ford for faulty brakes and/or inferior materials used.

- Cudahy, CA, USA

My brakes started grinding at 25000 miles and I needed new pads and rotors, this shouldn't happen to a car with that low of a mileage, I had a Ford escort which I would still drive had I not been rearended that I never needed to replace the brakes on and it had 140,000 miles when I was hit. The brakes started grinding and after taking it to the dealer, they needed to replace both front rotors as well as the brake pads. I also have had problems with the Firestone tires the vehicle was sold with, they were so uneven and warped that they caused the entire car to shake about a month after I bought it that started. It really is ridicouous, I pay more for reparis in a month than I do for a car payment.

- Liverpool, NY, USA

Dealer and Ford did nothing to try to correct the various problems I have had with the front brakes, and I have had to replace them at my own expense.

- Joliet, IL, USA

When braking there is a grinding noise. Took vehicle to dealer, and they stated it was normal wear and tear.

- Huntington Beach, CA, USA

Front brakes do not work properly. Also extended stopping distance. Contacted dealer.

- Soloma Beach, CA, USA

Felt steering wheel vibration at start of braking around 45mph. This started occurring around 9,000 miles. At 15,000 miles car was taken to dealer for service. Dealer inspection concluded that the brake pads & rotors needed replacment. From what I understand rotors should not be worn at 15,000 miles.

- Miami, FL, USA

A/C tends to have smoke and very bad smell coming from vents, brakes constantly squeal and grind, vehicle doesn't always want to start, no pickup or stalling when stopped at lights, etc. Engine makes loud grinding noices, engine also makes loud reving noises like it can't get into gear. Front passanger seatbelt tightens and locks for no reason. Ford manufactor notified via certified letter twice, no contact to date. Waldorf Ford refuses to fix saying, "if we can't find the problem, we can't fix it." Both refuse to fix anymore. In last year in shop 10 times, for over 45 days, and no resolution.

- Waldorf, MD, USA

A/C tends to have smoke and very bad smell coming from vents, brakes constantly squeal and grind, vehicle doesn't always want to start, no pickup or stalling when stopped at lights, etc. Engine makes loud grinding noices, engine also makes loud reving noises like it can't get into gear. Front passanger seatbelt tightens and locks for no reason. Ford manufactor notified via certified letter twice, no contact to date. Waldorf Ford refuses to fix saying, "if we can't find the problem, we can't fix it." Both refuse to fix anymore. In last year in shop 10 times, for over 45 days, and no resolution.

- Waldorf, MD, USA

I have reported numerous problems to you with this lemon. The dealer was told when the car had 5000 miles, that there was a brake problem. Several experts have noted that there was a faulty caliper causiing the brakes to fail and the tires to continually blow out, resulting in numerous roadside emergencies. The dealer has reused to either repair, or replace the car from the beginning stating they will not lose money and that the same thing has not occurred often enough. The car is inoperable since the defective caliper, the rotors, and the shoes are all severely worn. The repair shops state that the car is too new to get the parts and that only fordd can get the parts. They want me to pay $200 minimum for each item of at least four, saying they will have nothing to do with it. This is what they have been stating since my complaints began. I have reported these facts to you before, numerous times, as well as by telephone. I have gotten no results. I am disabled and have spent the last week home alone without the ability to get my medical care, and other needs. This cannot go on.

- Oakland, CA, USA

This vehicle was listed as used but had only 600 miles on it when we purchased it. We have not suffered significant damage, but I feel that the brake system should not need to be replaced at 14,800 miles on a new car. The service manual states that you do not need a brake inspection until 15,000 miles, however, my car already has rotor damage. The dealer as well as Ford Motor Company told me it was my problem and the dealer said the manual is "wrong." I feel that this is a safety concern when brake systems give out, without warning, well before the industry standard. I am having my brakes fixed today elsewhere since the dealership wanted to charge me $500 to fix the damage. There is a website out there called www.fordfocusbrakeproblems.com where you can find a large amount of consumers suffering the same problems with their Ford Focus.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

We take the car to albany Ford for every major serviceing. When we started to hear the grinding noise, we reported it to the servicing personel. They felt it odd that the brake pads as well as the rotors should fail at 22000 miles but refused to replace saying that the warranty will not cover as this wear and tear. Also when we took the care for servicing at 5000 miles, the brake pads were 10 mm and when we took the car back at 14000 miles, the pads were 5mm. Nobody at the service center informed us that the brake pads will need to be changed sooner as they are wearing out faster than usual. At that time they did not feel it was odd. They really should have warned us, but instead they put the blame on us saying we were braking hard. We donot drive the car very much as we have good public transportation in the area we live.I contacted other repair shops and one of them, at midas said that she was seeing this as a third case of brake system problem in two weeks. The other two cars were mustang. We tried getting in touch with a supervisor, but they always seem to call us back at the time when we are not available. This is not the only problem, the left side brake light seemed to have stopped working. How do we get the Ford people to take our complaints right away.

- Oakland, CA, USA